HELP! Nobody Told Me

Hosted by Jasmine Shapiro & Shannon Johnson

Episodes

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to "HELP! Nobody Told Me..." where we navigate life's transitions with heart and humor. Learn with hosts Jasmine Shapiro and Shannon Johnson, Chicagoland REALTORS® and Senior Real Estate Specialists® with BHHSChicago. Join us as we delve into the world of real estate at different stages of life with an eye on your future, guided by our team including Mindy Leonard, SOS- Super Organized Spaces, a home organizer, and Jordan Kagan, The Man of Silver, specializing in sterling silver, precious metals, coins and watches. In each episode, we'll bring you insightful interviews with various guests to help you plan for the future, whether it's your own, your parents' or anyone else in your life. From practical advice on navigating real estate transactions to discussions about the emotions that accompany change, we're here to empower and educate you on how to handle the next chapter. Subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts and learn what you need to plan for today!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

25 min

Why Proactive Patient Planning Beats Crisis Management Every Time

Mary Fedorowski is the Chief Executive Officer of Avoa Health, a concierge patient advocacy service dedicated to supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and their families. With over twenty years of experience navigating the healthcare system, Mary is passionate about ensuring patients receive the highest level of personalized care so they can focus on healing and spending meaningful time with their loved ones. Through Avoa Health, she helps families cut through the complexities of healthcare, providing guidance, advocacy, and clarity during some of life’s most challenging moments.In this episode, Mary shares why many families wait until a crisis—such as a fall, stroke, or medical emergency—before seeking help, and how proactive planning can make all the difference. She also explains the critical distinction between hospital-employed navigators and independent patient advocates, and why even highly capable family members can struggle to manage a loved one’s care within today’s complex healthcare system. Mary offers valuable insights on how the right support can ease stress, improve outcomes, and empower families to make informed decisions.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me…Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.comMindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/Links:Mary Fedorowski📞 312-434-5708✉️ mary@avoahealth.com🌐 https://avoahealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryfedorowski-avoa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avoahealth/Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins

34 min

Practical Strategies for Staying Active All Day

Chelsea Duggan is a North Shore-based personal trainer and founder of The Ritual Fit, specializing in senior fitness, nutrition, and strength training. As a competitive jiu jitsu athlete, Chelsea brings a unique perspective on the importance of moving well, fueling the body properly, and maintaining strength at every stage of life. Her approach focuses on helping clients build sustainable habits that support long-term health, mobility, and overall performance in everyday life.Balancing life as a mom of three boys, with two dogs and a husband who is a competitive triathlete, Chelsea understands firsthand the importance of integrating movement, recovery, and wellness into a busy lifestyle. She joins us today to share how exercise can be viewed as performance training for life, practical strategies for staying active even with a desk-based routine, and how building strength and consistency can lead to a healthier, more energized life.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of HELP! Nobody Told Me.Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.comMindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.comLinks:Chelsea Duggan📞 847-53-7281✉️ chelseaduggan@mac.com🌐 https://theritualfit.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseaduggan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myritualfit/Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins

26 min

Clearing Clutter, Carrying Memories: Supporting Seniors and Families Through Change

Anna Czech is the President and founder of Haul with Heart, a full-service cleanout and transition company serving the Chicagoland area. What began as a simple hauling business has grown into a deeply meaningful service focused on helping families navigate life’s most overwhelming moments. From downsizing and estate cleanouts to senior transitions and unexpected life changes, Anna and her team bring compassion, reliability, and a concierge-level approach to every project. Their mission is simple: to do the hard work, lead with heart, and make difficult transitions just a little bit easier for the families they serve.In this episode, Anna shares her personal journey and what inspired her to build a woman-owned business in an industry that often overlooks the emotional side of these experiences. She discusses how Haul with Heart supports families during challenging times, including navigating dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnoses, and how their background in construction and remodeling allows them to offer a more efficient and comprehensive service. Anna provides insight into how thoughtful, hands-on support can make a lasting difference during times of change.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me…Hosts:Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.comMindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/Links:Anna Czech 📞 (224) 935-0896 ✉️ haulwithheart@gmail.com 🌐 https://haulwithheart.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haul-with-heart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578274974699 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HaulwithHeartProduced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins

31 min

Keeping Your Brain Sharp: Healthy Habits That May Reduce Your Risk of Cognitive Decline

MaryGrace Sharp, MPH, is a Program Manager with the Alzheimer’s Association, where she has been serving since February 2024. In her role, MaryGrace delivers free educational programming across northern Cook County and Lake County, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, caregiver support, and available community resources. She also oversees 24 active dementia-related caregiver support groups and manages a network of more than 50 dedicated volunteers, helping ensure families have access to the support they need.With a strong background in public health and community service, MaryGrace began her career as part of the Teach for America St. Louis Corps, teaching high school Special Education mathematics and AP Statistics. She later earned her Master of Public Health and has continued her work in the nonprofit sector ever since. She joins us today to share valuable insights on what Alzheimer’s disease is, how it relates to dementia, healthy habits for brain health, and the many free resources available to individuals and caregivers.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of HELP! Nobody Told Me.Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.comMindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/Links:MaryGrace Sharp📞 847-363-2114✉️ mlsharp@alz.org🌐 https://www.alz.org/illinoisProduced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins

39 min

How to Unlock the True Value of Sentimental Jewelry

Abra Berkley is a sales specialist at Shelle Jewelers, where she has been helping clients create meaningful, lasting pieces since joining the team in 2020. With a passion for craftsmanship and storytelling through jewelry, Abra specializes in custom design, repurposing heirloom stones, and guiding clients through everything from jewelry box cleanouts to appraisals and watch repairs. She has earned her Diamond Essentials certification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is currently working toward her AGS certifications, further deepening her expertise in fine jewelry.Before joining Shelle Jewelers, Abra worked in her family’s business, connected to her grandfather Abe Saperstein, founder of the Harlem Globetrotters. Today, she brings that legacy of creativity and connection into her work, helping clients preserve memories while creating new ones. Abra joins us to share insights on how to determine the value of jewelry, when to repurpose versus keep, and how thoughtful design can turn sentimental pieces into something truly special.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me…Hosts:Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.comMindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/Links:Abra Berkley 📞 (847) 559-7155 (work) | (773) 259-7172 (cell) ✉️ abra@shellejewelers.com 🌐 https://www.shellejewelers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraberkley/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abra_at_shelle/Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins#shannonandjasminehomes #seniorresourceteam #helpnobodytoldme #bhhs_chicago #bhhschicago_lakeforest #MoveConfidently #finejewelry #customjewelry #heirloomjewelry #shellejewelers #jewelrydesign #repurposedjewelry

29 min

REPOST - Serving Seniors in Real Estate

Our hosts, Shannon & Jasmine, talk about their experience serving seniors in real estate, why it is so important to them and what they’ve done to better serve this community.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmineWebsite: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins

25 min

REPOST - Witnessing a Hero's Healing: The Honor Flight Experience with Paula Carballido

Paula Carballido is the Executive Director and co-founder of Lake County Honor Flight, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring our veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. Since launching in 2013, the Lake County, Illinois hub has completed 29 flights and honored 639 veterans, ensuring each one receives the recognition, gratitude, and sense of closure they deserve. Under Paula’s leadership, the organization has expanded community outreach, strengthened volunteer engagement, and created deeply meaningful, life changing experiences for veterans across generations. She joins us today to share the mission behind Honor Flight, the impact these journeys have on veterans and their families, and how the community can help continue this legacy of honor, respect, and service.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me…Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmineWebsite: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links:info@lakecountyhonorflight.orghttps://www.lakecountyhonorflight.org/https://www.facebook.com/paula.carballidohttps://www.facebook.com/lakecountyhonorflighthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paulacarballido/https://www.linkedin.com/company/lake-county-honor-flight/https://www.instagram.com/lakecountyhonorflight Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audiohttps://brightvoxaudio.com/Edited by: Michael Collins

30 min

REPOST - Declutter Your Life with Mindy Leonard

Guest: Mindy Leonard is the owner of Super Organized Spaces/SOS. SOS helps people feel better in their homes by decluttering, purging and organizing. They also help people wit staging, packing a unpacking when moving. SOS focuses on creating functional, efficient and personalized spaces for each one of their clients. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me…Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmineWebsite:https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/Links: mindy@superorganizedspaces.com https://superorganizedspaces.com/ @superorganizedspaces on Instagram 847-651-3829 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins

14 min

REPOST - How One Phone Call Can Change a Life

Shannon discusses how one phone call changed the last year and a half for her family. Are you prepared for a similar call?Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me…Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmineWebsite: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Documents/FIELD%20OFFICES.pdfProduced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins

32 min

Your Guide for the Dopamine Deprived with Jorie Houlihan

Jorie Houlihan, known as “Your Guide for the Dopamine Deprived™,” is an ADHD life coach, public speaker, educator, and host of the podcast ADHD &... with Jorie Houlihan. After living with undiagnosed ADHD until the age of 49, Jorie brings a deeply personal and compassionate perspective to her work, especially in supporting women who discover their ADHD later in life. Through her coaching and speaking, she helps women better understand how their brains work, recognize their strengths, and build systems that support their success.In this episode, Jorie shares insights into the unique challenges and hidden strengths that come with ADHD, the power of self-acceptance, and why having the right support system can make all the difference. Blending lived experience with research-backed strategies, her mission is to help ADHD women move from simply getting by to truly thriving and embracing their full potential.Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of HELP! Nobody Told Me…Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.comJasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.comMindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.comJordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine/Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/Links:Jorie Houlihan🌐 https://joriehoulihan.com✉️ jorie@joriehoulihan.com📞 312.953.5896LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joriehoulihan1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joriehoulihanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/joriehoulihancllYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joriehoulihanPodcast: https://theadhdandpodcast.comProduced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox AudioEdited by: Michael Collins#shannonandjasminehomes #seniorresourceteam #helpnobodytoldme #bhhs_chicago #bhhschicago_lakeforest #MoveConfidently #ADHD #ADHDwomen #neurodiversity #adhdawareness #mentalhealthsupport #dopaminedeprived #adhdcoach